New garnet compound, sintered body and sputtering target containing same

ABSTRACT

A garnet compound represented by a general formula (I): Ln 3 In 2 Ga 3-X Al X O 12  (I) (in the formula, Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and X satisfies an expression 0≤X&lt;3).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a new garnet compound, a sintered body and asputtering target containing the same.

BACKGROUND ART

An amorphous (non-crystalline) oxide semiconductor used for a thin filmtransistor (TFT) has higher carrier mobility, and a larger optical bandgap, and can be formed into a film at a lower temperature, in comparisonwith general-purpose amorphous silicon (a-Si), and therefore is expectedto be applied to a next-generation display requiring a large size, highresolution and high-speed drive, a resin substrate having low heatresistance, and the like.

In forming the above-described oxide semiconductor (film), a sputteringprocess of sputtering a sputtering target is preferably used. The reasonis that a thin film formed according to the sputtering process issuperior in in-plane uniformity of a component composition, a filmthickness or the like in a film surface direction (inside a filmsurface) to a thin film formed according to an ion plating process, avacuum vapor deposition process and an electron beam deposition process,and the thin film having the same component composition with thesputtering target can be formed.

Patent Document 1 describes a method for manufacturing a garnet compoundrepresented by A₃B₂C₃O₁₂.

Moreover, Patent Document 1 describes a Y₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ compound containingindium oxide as an example.

Patent Document 2 describes a sputtering target containing a compoundhaving an A₃B₅O₁₂ type garnet structure obtained by sintering a rawmaterial containing indium oxide, yttrium oxide and aluminum oxide orgallium oxide. Patent Document 2 describes that the above targetcontains the garnet structure, resulting in reduced electricalresistance, and reduced abnormal discharge during sputtering. Moreover,Patent Document 2 describes an application to a TFT device having highmobility.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2008-7340

Patent Document 2: WO2015/098060

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Meanwhile, a strong desire has been expressed for a TFT having furtherhigher performance, and a great desire is expressed for a materialhaving high mobility, and having a small change in characteristics byheat or the like upon forming a protective film or an insulating filmaccording to chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

An objective of the invention is to provide a new garnet compound, asputtering target having a capability of forming a thin film exhibitingexcellent TFT performance when the thin film is used for the TFT, and anoxide sintered body being a material of the sputtering target.

According to the invention, a new garnet compound, an oxide sinteredbody, a sputtering target and the like described below are provided.

1. A garnet compound, represented by a general formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

wherein,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and

X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.

2. The garnet compound according to 1, wherein Ln includes either orboth of Nd and Sm.

3. An oxide sintered body, comprising a garnet phase represented by ageneral formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

wherein,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and

X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.

4. The oxide sintered body according to 3, wherein Ln includes either orboth of Nd and Sm.

5. An oxide sintered body, comprising:

a garnet phase represented by a general formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

wherein,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3,and

a bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃.

6. The oxide sintered body according to 5, wherein Ln includes either orboth of Nd and Sm.

7. A sputtering target, prepared by using the oxide sintered bodyaccording to 5 or 6.

According to the invention, a new garnet compound, a sputtering targethaving a capability of forming a thin film exhibiting excellent TFTperformance when the thin film is used for a thin film transistor (TFT),and an oxide sintered body being a material of the sputtering target canbe provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one example of a TFT to which an oxide semiconductor thinfilm formed by using a sputtering target of the invention can beapplied.

FIG. 2 shows another example of a TFT to which an oxide semiconductorthin film formed by using a sputtering target of the invention can beapplied.

FIG. 3 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 1.

FIG. 4 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 2.

FIG. 5 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 3.

FIG. 6 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 4.

FIG. 7 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 5.

FIG. 8 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 6.

FIG. 9 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 7.

FIG. 10 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 8.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of abottom gate type thin film transistor manufactured in Example 9.

FIG. 12 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 10.

FIG. 13 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 11.

FIG. 14 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of an oxide sintered body inExample 12.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

If an element having a large atomic radius, such as lanthanoid-basedmetal, is added to an indium oxide-based target material, a latticeconstant of the indium oxide changes, sintered density is not increasedto cause reduction of strength of the target material, a micro crack isgenerated by thermal stress during sputtering with large power, orchipping or abnormal discharge is caused in several cases. The abovephenomena develop a defect in an oxide thin film obtained to causedeterioration of TFT performance.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventorshave diligently conducted search to find out a new indium oxide-basedmaterial containing a lanthanoid-based metal element, which can be usedas a target material, and have found out a new garnet compoundcontaining the lanthanoid-based metal element. Then, the presentinventors have found out that a sputtering target using an oxidesintered body containing the garnet compound (garnet phase) and abixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ has characteristics advantageous asthe target material, such as high sintered density, low bulk resistance,small warpage of a target and a high bonding ratio. According to thecharacteristics of the target, abnormal discharge is hard to be causedeven by sputtering with large power, and stable sputtering can beachieved. Moreover, the present inventors have found out that a thinfilm obtained by sputtering the sputtering target exhibits excellent TFTperformance (such as a small change in the characteristics by heat orthe like upon forming a protective film or an insulating film accordingto chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and high-speed response) when thethin film is used for a TFT.

A garnet compound according to one embodiment of the invention(hereinafter, referred to as a garnet compound of the invention) is anew compound represented by a general formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

in the formula,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and

X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.

In the invention, a term “garnet compound” means a compound having acrystal structure type of a garnet structure (garnet type structure).

Ln in the formula (I) is one or more metal elements selected fromlanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium(Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb) and lutetium (Lu). Among the above elements, Sm orNd is preferred.

Ln preferably includes either or both of Nd and Sm, and is morepreferably either of Nd and Sm.

The garnet compound of the invention may have a single crystal structureor a polycrystal structure.

An oxide sintered body according to one embodiment of the invention(hereinafter, referred to as a first oxide sintered body of theinvention) is a new material, characterized by including a garnet phaserepresented by a general formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

in the formula,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and

X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.

The oxide sintered body may consist essentially of the above-describednew garnet compound (garnet phase), or may include a compound (phase)other than the above-described new garnet compound (garnet phase).

An oxide sintered body according to one embodiment of the invention(hereinafter, referred to as a second oxide sintered body of theinvention) is a new material, characterized by including a garnet phaserepresented by a general formula (I):

Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I)

in the formula,

Ln represents one or more metal elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu,Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and

X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3, and a bixbyite phase represented byIn₂O₃.

The first oxide sintered body of the invention and the second oxidesintered body of the invention as described above are collectivelyreferred to the oxide sintered body of the invention in several cases.

Ln in the garnet phase represented by the general formula (I) in theoxide sintered body of the invention preferably includes either or bothof Nd and Sm, and is more preferably either of Nd and Sm.

A sputtering target according to one embodiment of the invention(hereinafter, referred to as a sputtering target of the invention) ischaracterized by having the above-described second oxide sintered bodyof the invention.

The sputtering target of the invention is manufactured by laminating thesecond oxide sintered body of the invention to a backing plate, as thetarget material. A method for manufacturing the sputtering target willbe described later.

The second oxide sintered body of the invention includes the garnetphase represented by the general formula (I), and the bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃ as described above. Thus, sintered density(relative density) and volume resistivity (bulk resistance) can beimproved. Moreover, a coefficient of linear expansion can be reduced andthermal conductivity can be increased. Moreover, even when a rawmaterial is calcined under special conditions such as an oxygenatmosphere using an atmospheric calcination furnace, or according tosuch a simple method as performing the calcination under the atmosphere,the oxide sintered body having low volume resistivity and high sinteredbody density can be formed. The second oxide sintered body of theinvention, having the above-described characteristics, is preferred asthe target material.

The strength of the target is high by using the second oxide sinteredbody of the invention as the target material. Moreover, the thermalconductivity is high and the coefficient of linear expansion is small,and therefore the thermal stress can be suppressed. As a result, thesputtering target capable of suppressing generation of the micro crackor chipping of the target, and suppressing generation of a nodule or theabnormal discharge, and capable of sputtering with large power can beobtained.

In addition thereto, a high performance TFT can be obtained by using thesecond oxide sintered body of the invention as the target material, inwhich the TFT has high mobility, and small deterioration ofcharacteristics by heat in a chemical vapor deposition process (CVDprocess) performed after lamination of an oxide semiconductor layer inthe course of a TFT manufacturing process, or heat treatment after TFTpreparation, and the like.

The garnet compound of the invention, and the garnet phase and thebixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ in the oxide sintered body can bedetected from an XRD chart according to an X-ray diffraction (XRD)method, for example.

An abundance ratio of the bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ in thesecond oxide sintered body of the invention is preferably 1 to 99 wt %,and more preferably 10 to 98 wt %. If the abundance ratio of thebixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ is in the above-described range,Ln₃In₂(Ga_(3-x)Al_(x))₃O₁₂ being the new compound is dispersed in In₂O₃crystals, and an application to a fluorescence material other than thetarget material or the like as described later can also be considered byfurther doping a rare earth element thereinto or the like.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ is preferably a maincomponent. If a crystal structure other than a bixbyite structureprecipitates as the main component, reduction of the mobility is liableto be caused. An expression “bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ is themain component” means that the abundance ratio of the bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃ is more than 50 wt %, in which the abundance ratiois preferably 70 wt % or more, more preferably 80 wt % or more, andfurther preferably 90 wt % or more.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the sintered density is preferably within the range of 6.5 to7.1 g/cm³, and more preferably within the range of 6.6 to 7.1 g/cm³. Ifthe sintered density is within the range of 6.5 to 7.1 g/cm³, a spacecausing the abnormal discharge or serving as a starting point ofgeneration of the nodule can be reduced upon using the oxide sinteredbody as the target.

The sintered density can be measured according to an Archimedes method,for example.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, one or more metal elements represented by the Ln (La, Nd, Sm,Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; hereinafter, represented as“Ln”), an Al element and a Ga element may form solid solution with thebixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃. Ln and Ga, or Ln, Ga and Alpreferably form the solid solution therewith. The solid solution ispreferably substitutional solid solution.

Accordingly, stable sputtering can be performed.

The solid solution of Ln and Ga, or Ln, Ga and Al can be identified froma lattice constant of the bixbyite phase by using measurement of XRD,for example.

For example, if the lattice constant of the bixbyite phase representedby In₂O₃ is smaller than a lattice constant of only the bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃, the solid solution of Ga, or Ga and Al dominantlyacts thereon, and if the lattice constant of the bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃ is larger than the lattice constant of only thebixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃, the solid solution of Ln dominantlyacts thereon.

Here, a term “lattice constant” is defined as a length of a lattice axisof a unit lattice, and can be determined according to the X-raydiffraction method, for example.

Moreover, in the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target ofthe invention, Ln and Ga, or Ln, Ga and Al may form the solid solutionwith the garnet phase represented by the general formula (I).

Accordingly, stable sputtering can be performed.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, a mean particle size of the garnet phase represented by thegeneral formula (I) is preferably 15 μm or less, more preferably 10 μmor less, further preferably 8 μm or less, and particularly preferably 5μm or less. A lower limit is not particularly limited, but is ordinarily0.1 μm or more.

When the mean particle size of the garnet phase represented by thegeneral formula (I) is 15 μm or less, discharge is easily stabilized.

The mean particle size of the garnet phase represented by the generalformula (I) can be determined by identifying the garnet phaserepresented by the general formula (I) by means of an electron probemicroanalyzer (EPMA), assuming a circle having a maximum diameterthereof as a diameter, and being taken as a mean value of the diameters,for example.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, an atomic ratio: In/(In +Ln+Ga+Al) is preferably 0.60 or moreand 0.97 or less, more preferably 0.70 or more and 0.96 or less, andfurther preferably 0.75 or more and 0.95 or less.

When the atomic ratio is less than 0.60, the mobility of the TFTincluding an oxide semiconductor thin film to be formed is liable to bereduced. When the atomic ratio is more than 0.97, stability of the TFTis liable to be unable to be obtained, or the TFT is conducted, and isliable to be hard to form a semiconductor.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, an atomic ratio: (Ga+Al)/(In+Ln+Ga+Al) when Al is includedtherein is preferably 0.01 or more and 0.20 or less, more preferably0.02 or more and 0.15 or less, and further preferably 0.02 or more and0.12 or less.

When the atomic ratio: (Ga+Al)/(In+Ln+Ga+Al) is less than 0.01, thegarnet phase represented by the general formula (I) is not formed, thebulk resistance of the oxide sintered body may be increased, thesintered density and sintered body strength may be reduced, andtherefore cracking or the like by heat during sputtering is liable to beeasily caused, or stable sputtering is liable to be unable to beperformed. On the other hand, when the atomic ratio is more than 0.20,the mobility of the TFT including the oxide semiconductor thin film tobe formed is liable to be reduced.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, an atomic ratio: Ga/(In+Ln+Ga) when Al is not includedtherein is preferably 0.01 or more and 0.40 or less.

In the oxide sintered body of the invention and the oxide sintered bodyused for the sputtering target of the invention, an atomic ratio:Ln/(In+Ln+Ga+Al) is preferably 0.02 or more and 0.20 or less, morepreferably 0.02 or more and 0.18 or less, and further preferably 0.03 ormore and 0.16 or less.

When the atomic ratio is less than 0.02, the garnet phase represented bythe general formula (I) is not formed, the bulk resistance of the oxidesintered body may be increased, the sintered density and the sinteredbody strength may be reduced, and therefore the cracking or the like byheat during sputtering is liable to be easily caused, or stablesputtering is liable to be unable to be performed. On the other hand,when the atomic ratio is more than 0.20, the mobility of the TFTincluding the oxide semiconductor thin film to be formed is liable to bereduced.

Moreover, the oxide sintered body of the invention and the oxidesintered body used for the sputtering target of the invention mayfurther include a positive tetravalent metal element.

The oxide sintered body of the invention and the oxide sintered bodyused for the sputtering target of the invention preferably include thepositive tetravalent metal element.

Accordingly, sputtering can be further stably performed.

Specific examples of the positive tetravalent metal element include Si,Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Hf and Ce, and Sn is preferred. The bulk resistance isreduced by a doping effect of Sn, and sputtering can be further stablyperformed.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the positive tetravalent metal element preferably forms thesolid solution with the bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ or thegarnet phase represented by the general formula (I), and more preferablyforms the solid solution with the bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃.The solid solution is preferably substitutional solid solution.

Accordingly, sputtering can be further stably performed.

The solid solution of the positive tetravalent metal element can beidentified from the lattice constant in the measurement of XRD, forexample.

Moreover, with regard to the bixbyite phase represented by In₂O₃ withwhich the positive tetravalent metal element forms the solid solution,the solid solution with Ln and Ga, or Ln, Ga and Al can be identifiedfrom the lattice constant of the bixbyite phase by using the measurementof XRD in a manner similar to the solid solution with the bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃ described above, for example.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, a content of the positive tetravalent metal element ispreferably 100 to 10,000 ppm, more preferably 500 ppm or more and 8000ppm or less, and further preferably 800 ppm or more and 6000 ppm orless, in terms of an atom concentration, based on all metal elements inthe oxide sintered body.

When the content thereof is less than 100 ppm, the bulk resistance isliable to be increased. On the other hand, when the content thereof ismore than 10,000 ppm, the TFT including the oxide semiconductor thinfilm to be formed is liable to be conducted or an ON/OFF value is liableto be decreased.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the bulk resistance is preferably 30 mΩ·cm or less, morepreferably 15 mΩ·cm or less, and further preferably 10 mΩ·cm or less. Alower limit is not particularly limited, but is ordinarily 1 mΩ·cm ormore or 5 mΩ·cm or more.

When the bulk resistance thereof is 30 mΩ·cm or less, the abnormaldischarge by charging of the target is hard to be generated during filmformation with large power, and a plasma state is stabilized, and sparkbecomes hard to be generated. Moreover, when a pulse DC sputteringdevice is used, plasma is further stabilized, and a problem of theabnormal discharge or the like is also not caused, and sputtering can bestably performed.

The bulk resistance can be measured on the basis of a four-point probearray, for example.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, three point flexural strength is preferably 120 MPa or more,more preferably 140 MPa or more, and further preferably 150 MPa or more.

An upper limit is not particularly limited, but is ordinarily 200 MPa orless.

When the three point flexural strength is less than 120 MPa, strength ofthe target is low upon performing film formation by sputtering withlarge power, and the target may be cracked or chipped, and chippedfragments may be scattered on the target, which is liable to cause theabnormal discharge.

The three point flexural strength can be tested in accordance with JIS R1601 “Testing method for flexural strength (modulus of rupture) of fineceramics at room temperature”, for example.

Specifically, the flexural strength can be calculated from a maximumload when a test piece is broken by using a standard test piece having awidth of 4 mm, a thickness of 3 mm and a length of 40 mm, placing thetest piece on two supporting points arranged at a predetermined distance(30 mm), and applying a load from a center between the supporting pointsat a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the coefficient of linear expansion is preferably 8.0×10⁻⁶K⁻¹ or less, more preferably 7.5×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ or less, and furtherpreferably 7.0×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ or less. A lower limit is not particularlylimited, but is ordinarily 5.0×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ or more.

When the coefficient of linear expansion thereof is more than 8.0×10⁻⁶K⁻¹, the target is heated during sputtering with large power, and themicro crack may be caused by stress in the target, or cracking orchipping is liable to cause the abnormal discharge.

The coefficient of linear expansion can be determined by using astandard test piece having a width of 5 mm, a thickness of 5 mm and alength of 10 mm, setting a heating rate to 5° C./min, and detectingdeflection by thermal expansion when temperature reaches 300° C. bymeans of a position detector, for example.

In the oxide sintered body used for the sputtering target of theinvention, the thermal conductivity is preferably 5.0 W/m·K or more,more preferably 5.5 W/m·K or more, further preferably 6.0 W/m·K or more,and most preferably 6.5 W/m·K or more.

An upper limit is not particularly limited, but is ordinarily 10 W/m·Kor less.

When the thermal conductivity thereof is less than 5.0 W/m·K, atemperature on a sputtered surface is different from a temperature on abonded surface upon performing film formation by sputtering with largepower, and the micro crack, cracking or chipping is liable to be causedby internal stress in the target.

The thermal conductivity can be calculated by using a standard testpiece having a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 1 mm, anddetermining, according to a laser flash method, specific heat capacityand thermal diffusivity, and multiplying the resulting values by densityof the test piece, for example.

The metal elements of the oxide sintered body used for the sputteringtarget of the invention are substantially composed of In, Ln, Ga andarbitrarily Sn, or substantially composed of In, Ln, Ga, Al andarbitrarily Sn, and may include inevitable impurities in additionthereto in the range in which an effect of the sputtering target of theinvention is not adversely affected.

For example, the metal elements of the oxide sintered body used for thesputtering target of the invention may be composed of In, Ln and Ga, orIn, Ln, Ga and Al, or In, Ln, Ga and Sn, or In, Ln, Ga, Al and Sn in 90atom % or more, 95 atom % or more, 98 atom % or more, 99 atom % or moreor 100 atom % of the metal elements of the oxide sintered body used forthe sputtering target of the invention.

The garnet compound of the invention and the oxide sintered body of theinvention can be manufactured through a step of preparing mixed powderof raw material powder including indium, raw material powder including aLn element in the general formula (I) described above and raw materialpowder including Ga, or mixed powder of raw material powder includingindium, raw material powder including the Ln element in the generalformula (I) described above, raw material powder including Ga and rawmaterial powder including Al, a step of molding the mixed powder tomanufacture a molded body, and a step of calcining the molded body.Specifically, the garnet compound of the invention and the oxidesintered body of the invention may be manufactured according to a methodshown in Examples.

The raw material powder is preferably oxide powder.

A mixing ratio of the raw material powder only needs to be allowed tocorrespond to an atomic ratio of the oxide sintered body tried to beobtained, for example.

Further, when the oxide sintered body including the above-describedarbitrary component such as Sn is manufactured, raw material powderincluding the above-described arbitrary component such as Sn may beadded to the mixed powder.

A mean particle size of the raw material powder is preferably 0.1 to 1.2μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.0 μm or less. The mean particle size ofthe raw material powder can be measured by a laser diffraction particlesize distribution device or the like.

A method for mixing or molding the raw materials is not particularlylimited, and mixing or molding can be performed by using apublicly-known method. For example, an aqueous solvent is blended to themixed raw material powder, and the resulting raw material powder slurryis mixed for 12 hours or more, and then the resulting material issubjected to solid liquid separation, drying and granulation, andsubsequently the resulting granulated material is put into a templateand molded.

Mixing can be made by using a ball mill according to a wet type or drytype, a vibrating mill, a bead mill or the like.

A mixing time by using the ball mill is preferably 15 hours or more, andmore preferably 19 hours or more.

Moreover, upon mixing the raw materials, a binder is added thereto by anarbitrary amount, and the resultant mixture is preferably mixedsimultaneously. As the binder, polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate or thelike can be used.

Next, granulated powder is obtained from the raw material powder slurry.Upon granulation, spray-dry or freeze-dry is preferably performed, andthe spray-dry is more preferably performed.

The resulting mixed powder (granulated powder) can be press-molded intothe molded body. According to the above step, the mixed powder can bemolded into a shape of a product (for example, the shape preferable asthe sputtering target).

Specifically, the molded body is obtained by filling the granulatedpowder into a mold such as a rubber mold, and molding the granulatedpowder at a pressure of 100 MPa or more, for example, by ordinarilyusing a mold press or a cold isostatic press (CIP).

The oxide sintered body can be obtained by sintering the molded bodyobtained at a sintering temperature of 1200 to 1650° C. for 10 hours ormore.

The sintering temperature is preferably 1350 to 1600° C., morepreferably 1400 to 1600° C., and further preferably 1450 to 1600° C. Asintering time is preferably 10 to 50 hours, more preferably 12 to 40hours, and further preferably 13 to 30 hours.

If the sintering temperature is less than 1200° C. or the sintering timeis less than 10 hours, sintering does not sufficiently progress, andtherefore electrical resistance of the target is not sufficientlyreduced, and is liable to cause the abnormal discharge. On the otherhand, if the sintering temperature is more than 1650° C. or thesintering time is more than 50 hours, a mean crystal grain size may beincreased by remarkable crystal grain growth or coarse pores may begenerated, which is liable to cause reduction of the sintered bodystrength, or the abnormal discharge.

As a sintering method used in the invention, in addition to anatmospheric sintering process, a pressure sintering process such as ahot press, oxygen pressing and hot isotropic pressing can also beadopted.

In the atmospheric-pressure sintering process, the molded body issintered in the atmosphere or an oxidizing gas atmosphere, andpreferably in the oxidizing gas atmosphere. The oxidizing gas atmospherepreferably means an oxygen gas atmosphere. The oxygen gas atmosphere ispreferably an atmosphere in which an oxygen concentration is 10 to 100%by volume, for example. In the method for manufacturing theabove-described oxide sintered body, sintered body density can befurther increased by introducing the oxygen gas atmosphere into aheating process.

Further, the heating rate upon sintering the molded body is preferablyadjusted to 0.1 to 2° C./min from 800° C. to the sintering temperature(1200 to 1650° C.).

In the oxide sintered body of the invention, a temperature range from800° C. or more is a range in which sintering progresses most. If theheating rate in the above temperature range becomes lower than 0.1°C./min, crystal grain growth becomes remarkable, and high density isliable to be unable to be achieved. On the other hand, if the heatingrate becomes higher than 2° C./min, a temperature distribution is causedin the molded body, and the oxide sintered body is liable to be warpedor cracked.

The heating rate from 800° C. to the sintering temperature is preferably0.1 to 1.3° C./min, and more preferably 0.1 to 1.1° C./min.

The sputtering target of the invention can be obtained by cutting andpolishing the second oxide sintered body of the invention describedabove, and bonding a target member processed into a plate shape, acylindrical shape, a half-cylindrical shape or the like to a backingplate (target support) formed of a cupper plate or the like and having aplate shape or a cylindrical shape by using metal indium or the like.

For example, a sintered portion in a highly oxidized state or an unevensurface on a surface of the oxide sintered body can be removed bycutting the oxide sintered body. Moreover, the sputtering target can beprocessed into a specified size.

The surface may be polished with Buff #200 or #400 and further #800.Accordingly, abnormal discharge or generation of particles duringsputtering can be suppressed.

Specific examples of a bonding method include bonding by metal indium.

In order to keep cooling efficiency during sputtering, the bonding ratiois adjusted to preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more, andfurther preferably 99% or more. The bonding ratio herein means a ratioof an area of a surface on which the target member and the targetsupport are bonded through a bonding layer to an area of a surface onwhich the target member and the target support are overlapped with eachother. The bonding ratio can be ordinarily measured with ultrasonictesting equipment or the like.

A method for bonding the target member and the target support will bedescribed.

Surface treatment is applied to a bonding surface with the targetsupport in the target member processed into a predetermined shape. As adevice used for the surface treatment, a generally commerciallyavailable blast device can be used. Specific examples of the deviceinclude a trade name “PNEUMA-BLASTER SFG-5-B” made by Fuji ManufacturingCo., Ltd. As powder used for a blasting process, glass, alumina,zirconia, SiC or the like can be used, and the above materials areappropriately selected according to a composition, hardness or the likeof the target member.

A surface-treated surface of the target member obtained is washed whennecessary, and then a bonding material such as metal indium solder isapplied to the bonding surface. Similarly, the bonding material such asthe metal indium solder is applied to a bonding surface of the backingplate subjected to washing treatment, when necessary. On the occasion,when the target member is composed of a material that is not directlywelded to the bonding material, a thin film layer of copper, nickel orthe like excellent in wettability with the bonding material ispreviously formed on the bonding surface of the target member accordingto a sputtering process, a plating process or the like, and then thetarget member is heated to a level equal to or higher than a meltingpoint of the bonding material to be used, and then the bonding materialis applied to the bonding surface, or the bonding material may bedirectly applied to the bonding surface of the target member by usingultrasonic waves.

Next, the target support to which the bonding material is applied isheated to the level equal to or higher than the melting point of thebonding material used to melt a bonding material layer on the surface,and then the powder described above is arranged on the surface, and thetarget member is bonded to the target support, and then the resultingmaterial is cooled to room temperature, and thus the sputtering targetcan be obtained.

The sputtering target of the invention can be applied to a directcurrent (DC) sputtering process, a radio frequency (RF) sputteringprocess, an alternating current (AC) sputtering process, a pulse DCsputtering process or the like.

The oxide semiconductor thin film can be obtained without causing theabnormal discharge or the like by forming the film by using theabove-described sputtering target of the invention.

The oxide semiconductor thin film formed by using the above-describedsputtering target of the invention can be preferably used as a channellayer of the TFT, for example, and when the thin film is used for theTFT, excellent TFT performance is developed.

A device configuration of the TFT in which the above-described oxidesemiconductor thin film is used is not particularly limited, and variouspublicly-known device configurations can be adopted.

The TFT obtained can be used for electronic equipment of a display unitsuch as a liquid crystal display and an organic electroluminescencedisplay, for example.

FIG. 1 shows one example of the TFT to which the oxide semiconductorthin film formed by using the sputtering target of the invention can beapplied. In the TFT, an oxide semiconductor thin film 40 obtained byusing the sputtering target of the invention is formed on a gateinsulating film 30 on a silicon wafer (gate electrode) 20, andinterlayer insulating films 70 and 70 a are formed thereon. Theinterlayer insulating film 70 a on the oxide semiconductor thin film 40acts also as a channel layer protective layer. A source electrode 50 anda drain electrode 60 are provided on the oxide semiconductor thin film.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the TFT to which the oxide semiconductorthin film formed by using the sputtering target of the invention can beapplied. In the TFT, an oxide semiconductor thin film 40 obtained byusing the sputtering target of the invention is formed on a gateinsulating film (for example, SiO₂) 30 on a silicon wafer (gateelectrode) 20, and a source electrode 50 and a drain electrode 60 areprovided on the oxide semiconductor thin film 40, and a protective layer70 b (for example, a SiO₂ film formed according to CVD) is provided onthe oxide semiconductor thin film 40, the source electrode 50 and thedrain electrode 60.

With regard to the silicon wafer 20 and the gate insulating film 30, thesilicon wafer may be applied as the gate electrode by using a siliconwafer with a thermal oxide film, and the thermal oxide film (SiO₂) maybe applied as the gate insulating film.

Moreover, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the gate electrode 20 may be formed on asubstrate such as glass.

In the oxide semiconductor thin film, a band gap is preferably 3.0 eV ormore. When the band gap is 3.0 eV or more, the oxide semiconductor thinfilm does not absorb light having a wavelength on side of a longerwavelength from about 420 nm. Accordingly, the oxide semiconductor thinfilm does not absorb light from a light source of an organic EL or aTFT-LCD, and upon being used as the channel layer of the TFT,malfunction of the TFT by light or the like is not caused, and lightstability can be improved. The band gap is preferably 3.1 eV or more,and more preferably 3.3 eV or more.

In the TFT to which the oxide semiconductor thin film formed by usingthe sputtering target of the invention can be applied, a materialforming each electrode of the drain electrode, the source electrode andthe gate electrode is not particularly limited, and the materialgenerally used can be arbitrarily selected. For example, a transparentelectrode formed of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO),ZnO, SnO₂ or the like, a metal electrode formed of Al, Ag, Cu, Cr, Ni,Mo, Au, Ti, Ta or the like, or a metal electrode or a laminatedelectrode of alloy containing the above materials can be used. Moreover,the silicon wafer may be used as the substrate, and in the case, thesilicon wafer acts also as the electrode.

In the TFT to which the oxide semiconductor thin film formed by usingthe sputtering target of the invention can be applied, in the case of aTFT of a back channel etch type (bottom gate type), the protective filmis preferably provided on the drain electrode, the source electrode andthe channel layer. Durability is easily improved by providing theprotective film thereon even when the TFT is driven for a long period oftime. In addition, in the case of a TFT of a top gate type, the TFT isformed into a structure in which the gate insulating film is formed onthe channel layer, for example.

The protective film or the insulating film can be formed according toCVD, for example, and on the occasion, a process by a high temperatureis applied in several cases. Moreover, the protective film or theinsulating film includes impurity gas immediately after film formationin many cases, and heat treatment (annealing treatment) is preferablyperformed. A stable protective film or insulating film is formed byremoving the impurity gas by the heat treatment, and a TFT device havinghigh durability is easily formed.

The TFT becomes less susceptible to temperature in the CVD process andthe heat treatment thereafter by using the oxide semiconductor thin filmformed by using the sputtering target of the invention, and thereforeeven when the protective film or the insulating film is formed,stability of characteristic of the TFT can be improved.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the invention will be described more specifically by way ofExamples, but the invention is not limited to the Examples describedbelow, and can also be carried out by suitably adding modifications inthe range adaptable to the gist of the invention, and all themodifications are included in the technical scope of the invention.

Examples 1 to 5 [Manufacture of Oxide Sintered Body]

Lanthanoid-based oxide powder, indium oxide powder, aluminum oxidepowder and gallium oxide powder were weighed to be in a ratio shown inTable 1, put in a pot made of polyethylene, and mixed and milled for 72hours by using a dry ball mill to prepare mixed powder.

The resulting mixed powder was put in a mold and formed into apress-molded body at a pressure of 500 kg/cm². The resulting molded bodywas densified at a pressure of 2000 kg/cm² by CIP. Next, the resultingmolded body was placed in an atmospheric calcination furnace, and heldat 350° C. for 3 hours under the atmosphere, and then heated at 50°C./hour, and sintered at 1450° C. for 20 hours, and then cooled by beingleft to stand to obtain an oxide sintered body.

(Evaluation of Characteristics of Oxide Sintered Body) (1) Measurementof XRD

X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the oxide sintered body was measured on theoxide sintered body obtained by means of X-ray Diffractometer Smartlabunder the following conditions. An XRD chart obtained was analyzedaccording to X-ray powder diffraction pattern full-featured analyticalsoftware JADE 6 (made by Rigaku Corporation) to determine a crystallinephase in the oxide sintered body. The results are shown in Table 1.

-   -   Diffractometer: Smartlab (made by Rigaku Corporation)    -   X-rays: Cu-Kα rays (wavelength: 1.5418 Å, monochromatized by a        graphite monochromator)    -   2θ-θ reflection method, serial scan (2.0°/min)    -   Sampling interval: 0.02°    -   Slit DS (divergence slit), SS (scattering slit), RS (receiving        slit): 1.0 mm

XRD charts of the oxide sintered bodies obtained in Examples 1 to 7 areshown in FIGS. 3 to 7, respectively.

From FIGS. 3 to 7, the oxide sintered body obtained in each Example wasfound to have a garnet phase, or the garnet phase and a bixbyite phaseas shown in Table 1.

(2) An abundance ratio (wt %) of In₂O₃ was determined on the oxidesintered body obtained as the abundance ratio of In₂O₃ from the XRDchart according to a whole pattern fitting (WPF) method. The results areshown in Table 1.

(3) Sintered density (g/cm³) was measured, on the oxide sintered bodyobtained, according to an Archimedes method. The results are shown inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Weight ratioof oxide Indium oxide 25.6 37.0 70.8 27.3 81.7 (wt %) Aluminum oxide 0.00.0 0.0 7.5 1.9 Gallium oxide 26.0 22.0 10.2 13.8 3.5 Samarium oxide48.4 41.0 19.0 51.4 12.9 Tin oxide 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Metal atomicratio in In/(In + Al + 25.0 36.2 70.0 25.0 79.8 oxide sintered body Ga +Sm + Sn) (at %) Al/(In + Al + 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.7 5.1 Ga + Sm + Sn)Ga/(In + Al + 37.5 31.9 15.0 18.8 5.1 Ga + Sm + Sn) Sm/(In + Al + 37.531.9 15.0 37.5 10.0 Ga + Sm + Sn) Sn/(In + Al + 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ga +Sm + Sn) Characteristics of XRD data FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7oxide sintered body Crystalline phase Sm₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ Sm₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ +Sm₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ + Sm₃In₂Al_(1.5)Ga_(1.5)O₁₂ Sm₃In₂Al_(1.5)Ga_(1.5)O₁₂ + inoxide sintered (a = 12.55729) In₂O₃ In₂O₃ (a = 12.65073) In₂O₃ body (a =lattice constant Å) In₂O₃ abundance 0 18.9 69.2 0 82.8 ratio (wt %)Sintered density 4.08 4.39 5.87 4.24 6.36 (g/cm³)

XRD charts in Example 1 and Example 4 show peaks which do not reside inJCPDS cards, and the oxide sintered bodies are considered to be newcompounds, and were identified as Sm₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ andSm₃In₂AL_(1.5)Ga_(1.5)O₁₂, respectively, from atomic composition ratios,comparison with similar XRD patterns or structural analysis of XRDpatterns obtained.

[Manufacture of Sputtering Target] Examples 6 to 8

An oxide sintered body was manufactured and evaluated in the same manneras in Examples 1 to 5 except that raw material oxides were mixed at aratio shown in Table 2 below.

XRD charts of oxide sintered bodies obtained in Examples 6 to 8 areshown in FIGS. 8 to 10, respectively.

Further, bulk resistance (mΩ·cm) was measured on the oxide sintered bodyobtained by using Resistivity Meter LORESTA (made by Mitsubishi ChemicalCorporation, LORESTA-AX MCP-T370) on the basis of a four-point probearray (JIS R 1637). The results are shown in Table 2.

A surface of the oxide sintered body obtained in Examples 6 to 8 wasground with a surface grinding machine in the order of Buff #40, #200,#400 and #1000, a lateral side was cut with a diamond cutter, and theresulting material was laminated onto a backing plate by using metalindium to prepare a sputtering target having a diameter of 4 inches.

(Evaluation of Characteristics of Sputtering Target)

(1) Warpage (mm) was measured, on the target obtained, according to amethod described below. The results are shown in Table 2.

With regard to the warpage, a straight edge was applied onto a backsurface of the backing plate, and a clearance was measured with a feelergauge.

(2) A bonding ratio (%) was measured, on the target obtained, accordingto a method described below.

With regard to the bonding ratio, a void part which was not bonded wasmeasured with ultrasonic testing equipment, and a ratio of a part whichwas bonded was measured on a target area basis. The results are shown inTable 2.

TABLE 2 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Weight Indium oxide 86.5 84.5 92.0ratio of Aluminum oxide 3.0 5.0 0.0 oxide (wt %) Gallium oxide 5.0 5.05.0 Samarium oxide 5.0 5.0 3.0 Tin oxide 0.5 0.5 0.0 Metal atomicIn/(In + Al + Ga + Sm + Sn) 81.2 76.9 90.4 ratio in oxide Al/(In + Al +Ga + Sm + Sn) 7.7 12.4 0.0 sintered body Ga/(In + Al + Ga + Sm + Sn) 7.06.7 7.3 (at %) Sm/(In + Al + Ga + Sm + Sn) 3.7 3.6 2.3 Sn/(In + Al +Ga + Sm + Sn) 0.4 0.4 0.0 Characteristics XRD data FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 10of oxide Crystalline phase in oxide sintered Sm₃In₂(AlGa)₃O₁₂ +Sm₃In₂(AlGa)₃O₁₂ + Sm₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ + sintered body body (a = latticeconstant Å) In₂O₃ (Al/Ga In₂O₃ (Al/Ga In₂O₃ (Ga solid solution) solidsolution) solid solution) In₂O₃ abundance ratio (wt %) 94.2 90.8 94.6Sintered density (g/cm³) 6.89 6.77 6.98 Bulk resistance (mΩ · cm) 3.683.9 2.6 Target Warpage of target (mm) 0.05 0.00 0.00 characteristicsBonding ratio of target 99.50 99.87 99.60

[Manufacture of Oxide Thin Film] Example 9

A thin film transistor having a structure shown in FIG. 11 wasmanufactured according to the steps described below.

(1) Film Formation Step

A 50 nm-thick thin film (oxide semiconductor layer 40) was formed on asilicon wafer (gate electrode 20) with a thermal oxide film (gateinsulating film 30) through a metal mask according to sputtering byusing the sputtering target manufactured in Example 8. As a sputteringgas, a mixed gas (impurity concentration: 0.01% by volume) of highpurity argon and high purity oxygen was used, and sputtering wasperformed under the following film formation conditions.

Atmospheric gas: Ar+O₂

Oxygen partial pressure during film formation: 20%

Back pressure before film formation: 5.0×10⁻⁴ Pa

Sputter pressure during film formation: 0.3 Pa

Substrate temperature during film formation: room temperature

In addition, no abnormal discharge was observed during sputtering.

(2) Heating Step

A laminate obtained was heated at a heating rate of 10° C./min in air,and held at a temperature of 350° C. for 120 minutes, and heat-treated.

(3) Formation of Protective Insulating Film

On a semiconductor thin film after heat treatment, a SiO₂ film(protective insulating film; an interlayer insulating film 70, a channelportion interlayer insulating film 70 a (in this regard, a continuousfilm without contact holes at this time point)) was formed at asubstrate temperature of 350° C. according to a chemical vapordeposition (CVD) method, and heat-treated in air at 350° C. for 60minutes.

(4) Formation of Source-Drain Electrodes

On the SiO₂ film after heat treatment, the contact holes were formed,and as source-drain electrodes 50 and 60, molybdenum metal was attachedthereto by using a metal mask according to sputter deposition, and thenvarious heat treatments were performed to complete a thin filmtransistor (TFT), and characteristics of TFT as described below wereevaluated.

<Evaluation of Characteristics of TFT>

The following characteristics of the TFT obtained were evaluated.

-   -   Saturation mobility was determined from transfer characteristics        when 5 V was applied as drain voltage. Specifically, a graph of        transfer characteristics Id-Vg was prepared, transconductance        (Gm) at each Vg was calculated, and the saturation mobility was        derived according to the equation for the linear region. In        addition, Gm is represented by ∂(Id) ∂(Vg), Vg was applied in        the range of −15 to 25 V, and maximum mobility in the range was        defined as the saturation mobility. Unless otherwise noted in        the invention, the saturation mobility was evaluated according        to the above method. Id described above represents current        between the source-drain electrodes, and Vg represents gate        voltage when voltage Vd is applied between the source-drain        electrodes.

The thus obtained saturation mobility of the TFT was 41.6 cm²/(V·sec).

-   -   Threshold voltage (Vth) was defined as Vg when Id=10⁻⁹ A        according to the graph of transfer characteristics.

The thus obtained threshold voltage of the TFT was −0.2 V.

-   -   As an on-off ratio, a value of Id when Vg=−10 V was taken as an        Off current value, a value of Id when Vg=20 V was taken as an On        current value, and a ratio [On/Off] was determined.

The thus obtained On/Off ratio of the TFT was greater than 10⁸, and theresulting Off current value was less than 10⁻¹² A.

Examples 10 to 12 [Manufacture of Oxide Sintered Body]

An oxide sintered body was obtained by performing operation in the samemethods as in Examples 1 to 5 by using neodymium oxide powder, indiumoxide powder and gallium powder to be in a ratio shown in Table 3.Evaluation was also performed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 5,and the results are shown in Table 3. An XRD chart in Example 10 showpeaks which do not reside in JCPDS cards, and the oxide sintered body isconsidered to be a new compound, and was identified as Nd₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ froman atomic composition ratio, comparison with similar XRD patterns andstructural analysis of an XRD pattern obtained.

TABLE 3 Example 10 Example 11 Example 12 Weight ratio Indium oxide 26.151.4 76.0 of oxide Aluminum oxide 0.0 0.0 0.0 (wt %) Gallium oxide 26.417.4 8.6 Neodymium oxide 47.5 31.2 15.4 Tin oxide 0.0 0.0 0.0 Metalatomic In/(In + Al + Ga + Nd + Sn) 25.0 50.0 74.9 ratio in oxideAl/(In + Al + Ga + Nd + Sn) 0.0 0.0 0.0 sintered body Ga/(In + Al + Ga +Nd + Sn) 37.5 25.0 12.6 (at %) Nd/(In + Al + Ga + Nd + Sn) 37.5 25.012.5 Sn/(In + Al + Ga + Nd + Sn) 0.0 0.0 0.0 Characteristics XRD dataFIG. 12 FIG. 13 FIG. 14 of oxide Crystalline phase in oxide sinteredNd₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ Nd₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ + Nd₃In₂Ga₃O₁₂ + sintered body body (a =lattice constant Å) (a = 12.79976 Å) In₂O₃ In₂O₃ In₂O₃ abundance ratio(wt %) 0 37.7 70.9 Sintered density (g/cm³) 4.98 5.45 6.37

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An oxide sintered body of the invention can be utilized for a sputteringtarget, and is useful for manufacture of an oxide semiconductor thinfilm of a thin film transistor (TFT) used for a display unit or the likesuch as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display.

Several embodiments and/or Examples of the invention have been describedin detail above, but those skilled in the art will readily make a greatnumber of modifications to the exemplary embodiments and/or Exampleswithout substantially departing from new teachings and advantageouseffects of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areincluded within the scope of the invention.

The entire contents of the description of the Japanese applicationserving as a basis of claiming the priority concerning the presentapplication to the Paris Convention are incorporated by referenceherein.

1. A garnet compound, represented by a general formula (I):Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I) wherein, Ln represents one or more metalelements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb andLu; and X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.
 2. The garnet compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein Ln includes either or both of Nd and Sm.3. An oxide sintered body, comprising a garnet phase represented by ageneral formula (I):Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I) wherein, Ln represents one or more metalelements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb andLu; and X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3.
 4. The oxide sintered bodyaccording to claim 3, wherein Ln includes either or both of Nd and Sm.5. An oxide sintered body, comprising: a garnet phase represented by ageneral formula (I):Ln₃In₂Ga_(3-X)Al_(X)O₁₂  (I) wherein, Ln represents one or more metalelements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb andLu, and X satisfies an expression 0≤X<3, and a bixbyite phaserepresented by In₂O₃.
 6. The oxide sintered body according to claim 5,wherein Ln includes either or both of Nd and Sm.
 7. A sputtering target,comprising the oxide sintered body according to claim 5.